IOBA was founded in 1999 by a group of concerned online booksellers. When the internet began to take on a life of its own around this time, and several pioneer used/out-of-print/antiquarian book search services opened their electronic doors for business, the booksellers who were really their partners in this new venture were thrilled with the results, as were our customers. Even at this early date, however, it became obvious that we needed to reconcile the wonderful efficiency and relative anonymity of online selling with the importance of maintaining traditional values. Forming a trade association gave us an opportunity to address the key issues of establishing trust between bookseller and book buyer, helping to train future generations of new booksellers, advocating for our members, and acting as a clearinghouse for information.
Presidents
current Christine Volk, Bookfever.com
2012 Joachim Koch, Books Tell You Why
2010-2011 Karin Bergsagel, The Eclectic Bookworm
2008-2009 Shawn Purcell, Balopticon Books & Ephemera
2007 Michael Watson, 20 Ants
2005-2006 David Friedman, Barner Books/Bibliotique
2004 Shirley Bryant, Authors & Artists
2003 Maria Bustillos, Popula
2002 Julie Fauble, Century Books
2001 Sally Hollingsworth, Book Crone
2001 Jim Hart, The Published Page Book Shop
2000 Deb Graham, Books By Blondie
1999 Rik Pavlescak, Blue Monkey Books
IOBA Founders
Shirley Bryant, Authors & Artists; Julie Fauble; Century Books; Judy Gordon, Crowe’s Nest Books & Collectibles; Deb Graham, Books By Blondie; Sally Hollingsworth, Book Crone; Rik Pavlescak, Blue Monkey Books
In Memoriam
- Len Lanfranco of Columbia Books (Oswego, Oregon):
Early member of IOBA, an energetic colleague, served as Public Relations Chair, died 4/30/2002. http://www.ioba.org/newsletter/archive/v7/LenLanfranco.html - Alyce M. Cresap of Alyce Cresap, Books & Ephemera (Germantown, New York): Charter member of IOBA, served as Internet Chair, writer of engaging emails, died 5/8/2003.
http://www.ioba.org/newsletter/archive/v11/iobanl-alyceobituary-5-8-03.php - Anne Poe Lehr of Poe’s Cousin (White Plains, New York): Anne joined IOBA in 2000 and served as Vice President, died in office 6/12/2004. http://www.nyjnews.com/obituary/obit.php3?id=1468233